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Rarely that an English cricketer gets labeled as complaining down under, but when Joe Root was questioned regarding the need for pink-ball cricket in a series like the Ashes, he offered a straightforward answer.

“I personally don’t think so,” Root replied prior to England's net session at the Gabba. “It’s obviously highly popular and well-received here in Australia, and Australia have an impressive track record in these matches. It's understandable why we’re playing.

“In the end, we are aware from two years out that it’s scheduled. It’s part of preparing for such contests. In a contest of this magnitude, does it need it? Probably not … yet it doesn't imply it shouldn’t be included. I don’t mind it. In my opinion it’s as good as the conventional format. But it's on the calendar. We have to participate, and must ensure we outperform our opponents at it.”

Root's Record Under Lights Declines

Similar to his opposite number, Steve Smith, Root's usually stellar stats see a drop in day-night games. The Yorkshire batsman has played each of the seven England's pink-ball matches to date, and despite a hundred in his first such match versus the Windies in 2017, his overall average above 50 falls to just over 38 under lights.

Conversely, paceman Mitchell Starc holds an average near 29 with a strike-rate of 49.9 in general, but those numbers shift to 17.08 and 33.3 correspondingly with the pink ball. In his last pink-ball appearance, against West Indies, he took six for nine as the opposition were dismissed for a meager 27—career-best figures that were soon surpassed by taking seven wickets for 58 in Perth.

Key Battle Between Root and Starc Could Shape Series

The matchup of Root and Starc is shaping up to be a potential key contests in the Ashes. Although Cummins and Hazlewood usually caused him issues, in their absence in the first Test, the veteran Starc who got him out for scores of zero and eight.

Root has reflected that the first dismissal was just a good ball—the type that might not carry to slip back home. His next dismissal, bowled chopping on, amid the team's slump, was a miscalculation by him. “I know I’m a good player,” he said. “I know I’m going to return to form.”

England's Hurdles and Readiness

Starc has adopted the wobble-seam as his preferred weapon nowadays—he admitted he wished he'd heeded his teammates' advice sooner—and in muggy conditions, swing may also be available. England, down one match, have more to overcome in this Test, and runs from their premier batter would help in recovering from their own mistakes.

It might not need a century should there be quick-fire match occurs, yet Root's absence of a ton on Australian soil remains a talking point. “I didn’t have long enough to dwell on it,” he modestly answered when asked if the stat bothered him during the first Test.

Team Selection and Chance for History

Root and his teammates practiced hard on Sunday, with hip-hop setting the tone on a hot afternoon. Monday and Wednesday are vital for England’s preparations, held under lights.

Mark Wood’s absence due to a knee issue opens up a spot in the team, with Jacks practicing among the batsmen hints he could be the frontrunner. The all-rounder’s off-spin are decent, and extra runs down the order could balance any conceded runs.

That said, seamer Tongue was with the reserves elsewhere and is still in the mix should England choose an all-pace attack, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was in the squad previously. Much to think about, indeed, at a ground where England haven’t won a Test for decades.

“It is a chance to create history,” Root said regarding this. “It would be all the sweeter if we win at this ground.”